As a member of the Aburame clan of Konohagakure, Aburame Ryoma has been dedicated to raising venomous insects since he was a child and has honed a profound understanding of various secret techniques associated with them.
One of his most formidable abilities is the Phosphorus Destruction Insect Technique. Years of nurturing venomous insects have intertwined his own flesh and blood with theirs, enabling him to swiftly incapacitate foes by allowing the venomous insects to infiltrate their flesh with a mere touch of his palm.
Despite having made physical contact with his opponent just moments ago, Ryoma was confounded as to why the Phosphorus Destruction Insect Technique had failed. With no time to contemplate this, Byakuya had already affixed several explosive tags to him, primed to detonate at a moment's notice.
While Ryoma possessed the capability to remove the explosive tags from his body, he hesitated to do so. It wasn't the explosive tags themselves that posed the real threat to his life, but rather Byakuya, who wielded them.
The enemy's strength had already surpassed the limits of what he could effectively counter.
Ryoma, swallowing nervously, stuttered, "Byakuya, I'm not your enemy."
"I know," Byakuya nodded lightly.
He politely took a few steps back, clapped his hands to shake off the venomous insect corpses on them, and relaxed his expression as he looked at the sweaty Ryoma.
He couldn't confirm Ryoma's specific identity just now.
After seeing the Phosphorus Destruction Insect Technique, he had already confirmed the opponent's identity. The opponent should be one of the many subordinates of Danzo Shimura, the Anbu Root of Konohagakure.
The method to counter the Phosphorus Destruction Insect Technique was also very simple. As long as he covered himself with a layer of sealing jutsu in advance, he could isolate the invasion of the venomous insects. Even if this layer of protection failed, he could use the Dance of the Shikigami to avoid them.
Byakuya was more concerned about why Danzo Shimura would target him. Could it be that Danzo noticed Nagato's Rinnegan in advance and wanted to seize it by force? Or did the existence of the Akatsuki trigger the interests of the Root organization?
Upon hearing Byakuya's words, Ryoma breathed a sigh of relief .
"Since you know my purpose, why did you still attack me?"
"You attacked first, insect boy."
Byakuya corrected Ryoma's statement and continued, "Before taking action, you should consider the consequences of failure and whether you can bear them. However, I'm in a good mood today and don't intend to kill you immediately. Now, state your intentions, and perhaps I will spare you, ninja of the Aburame clan."
After having his identity exposed and his life threatened, Ryoma could only reluctantly state his intentions.
"Byakuya, I am an assistant to the Hokage, and he sent me to help you."
"An assistant to the Hokage, sent to help us?"
Upon receiving this information, Byakuya looked at Ryoma with a skeptical gaze, not taking his eyes off him.
And you just said Danzo directly, and what's with this "assistant to the Hokage" nonsense? Could you possibly be working for Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado?
Ryoma didn't know what Byakuya was thinking.
Seeing Byakuya's suspicious gaze, he hurriedly explained.
"After hearing about the deeds of the Akatsuki, Assistant to the Hokage is determined to help the Akatsuki develop and let more people experience peace."
Since when did the Root become an organization fond of peace?
Byakuya sneered inwardly but maintained a calm face.
"So, that's your reason for the ambush?"
Upon hearing this, Ryoma fell silent. Perhaps he himself felt that this explanation was a bit far-fetched, but being someone who usually enjoys killing and arson, he is not skilled in communication.
At a critical moment, Byakuya broke the awkward atmosphere. Clearing his throat, he began to talk.
"I am different from others in the organization. Don't talk to me about ideals of world peace. Just tell me what benefits Assistant to the Hokage can bring us and what we need to give in return."
Ryoma also disliked formalities, so he got straight to the point.
"We can secretly provide ninjutsu and weapons as support. In exchange, we want the friendship of the Akatsuki."
"The friendship of the Akatsuki. It seems that the intentions of this Assistant to the Hokage are not small?"
From Ryoma's words, Byakuya could roughly guess Danzo's intentions – investing in the Akatsuki to create chaos within the borders of the Land of Rain, benefiting Konoha.
Ryoma awkwardly smiled.
"At least for now, the Akatsuki cannot offer us much value. If the Akatsuki does not intend to accept assistance, we will leave immediately."
Facing Ryoma's tactics of retreat, Byakuya snorted coldly.
"I accept the goodwill of Assistant to the Hokage on behalf of the Akatsuki. Unlike others in the Akatsuki, forming a bond with me will not disappoint Assistant to the Hokage."
Seeing progress in the situation, Ryoma's face lit up with a smile.
Carefully taking out two scrolls from his pocket, Ryoma tossed them before Byakuya while explaining.
"These are two scrolls prepared by Assistant to the Hokage. One is a storage scroll containing Assistant to the Hokage's goodwill. The other is a summoning contract. After you sign the contract with blood, it will facilitate communication between you and the Assistant to the Hokage.
Byakuya took the storage scroll and the summoning contract, carefully inspected them, and nodded satisfactorily.
"Looks like you're sensible enough not to tamper with them."
Ryoma smiled.
"Assistant to the Hokage sincerely wants to cooperate with the Akatsuki. Speaking of which, the leader of the Akatsuki, Lord Yahiko, has quite a history with our Lord Jiraiya. In the end, we're all family."
"If you were truly family, you wouldn't have deliberately kept Konan away. But it's also a correct choice not to cooperate with foreign ninja."
As Byakuya spoke, Ryoma remembered his own superior, Danzo.
Shaking his head to dispel the absurd thought, Ryoma turned to Byakuya.
"Byakuya, my mission is complete. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
With that said, Ryoma turned and walked towards the forest.
Every moment spent with Byakuya had filled him with immense pressure, making him eager to leave.
At that moment, Byakuya's voice rang out from behind.
"What did you just call me?"
Ryoma turned to look at Byakuya, somewhat puzzled.
"Byakuya, isn't that your name?"
Byakuya frowned, showing a dangerous look in his eyes.
"Your superior, Assistant to the Hokage, directly interacts with me. You just call me Byakuya? Don't you think you should add something more, like freaking honorifics? Do you address Assistant to the Hokage by his name alone?"
Who are you to compare yourself to Lord Danzo?
Though Ryoma had some grievances in his heart, considering their recent battle, he spoke sincerely.
"Lord Byakuya, may I take my leave now?"
Upon hearing this, Byakuya nodded, indicating that Ryoma could leave. Just because he is 12 years old doesn't mean he doesn't understand politics.
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BONUS CHAPTERS!
Let's aim for the ranking this time, and you will get bonus chapters:
1000 PS = 5 Bonus Chapters!
1500 PS = 10 Bonus Chapters!
Please get this book in ranking so I can translate more chapters in a batch.